Sometimes, living in my own body feels like walking a different road-balancing invisible changes, unexpected challenges and the constant whispers of “WHY ME?”. From the way my skin reacts, to the hair that refuses to behave, to the subtle shifts in weight and mood, every day has been a lesson in patience, resilience, and self-discovery. Yet, amid the confusion and frustration, there is hope-a hope that comes from understanding myself better, from learning what my body needs, and from realising that I am not alone in this journey. In this blog, I want to share my experiences, the lessons I’ve learned, and the ways I’ve found to navigate life between hormones and hope.
MISMATCH BETWEEN PCOS AND ME
PCOS or Polycystic ovary syndrome, is a hormonal disorder that affects women of reproductive age. It can cause irregular periods, weight changes, acne, excessive hair growth, and ovarian cysts. While the exact cause isn’t fully known, it is linked to hormonal imbalances and insulin resistance. PCOS can impact fertility, metabolism, and overall health, but with proper lifestyle changes and medical care, its symptoms can be managed.
My PCOS journey started back in class 11, in a funny little way. While I was waiting for my school’s bus , my mom noticed a hair on my chin. She just stood there, plucked it out-and that’s how it all began! At the time, I didn’t take it seriously, and honestly, it sounds funny now. But over the years, things started adding up- acne appeared, I gained a little weight, and my body didn’t feel quite in sync. Eventually , when the acne worsened, weight became noticeable, I realised it was time to see a doctor and understand what was really going on, I visited a doctor, who gave me some prescriptions and medicines to manage my symptoms, and that was about it. There wasn’t much explanation, and I overtime realised that managing PCOS was going to be a long, personal journey.
Medicines alone wouldn’t solve everything, and while lifestyle changes can help, constant fatigue often makes even that difficult. Sometimes my mom reminds me of how I used to have good skin texture and tone when I was little by saying ‘PHELE KAPOOR JESA RANG HOTA THA’ , then she blames acne for ruining it and starts giving me all sorts of advice. I can’t help but laugh, because I know she’s only trying to help -but her way of showing love is, well…..very enthusiastic! My mom always tells me,‘Don’t touch your face, don’t pick at your acne.’ But sometimes the acne is painful, and I just can’t help it- I don’t know why my hands move on their own. I know I should control it, yet it happens anyway. It’s one of those small, frustrating parts of dealing with skin issues.
Sometimes I don’t know if it’s the stress itself or PCOS that makes me overthink everything. My mind is always churning-there’s rarely a moment of rest. I think PCOS contributes to this because the fatigue it causes makes it harder to stay on track, manage multiple tasks, or follow the routine that I need to achieve my goals. Amd when I struggle to keep up, the stress only compounds, creating a cycle of overthinking that feels impossible to escape. The same thing happened to me when I visited my dermatologist, she asked me, ‘So, how are you managing your PCOS?’ And honestly, I didn’t know how to answer. She prescribed tretinoin for my skin and asked me to report if I felt stressed, since the medicine could sometimes trigger anxiety. But I was already feeling stressed, and I wondered- how will I know if it’s the medication or just my body? Thoughts like these keep running through my mind, showing that managing PCOS isn’t just about taking medicines; it’s about navigating uncertainty, listening to your body and learning patience.
MISMATCH BETWEEN PCOS AND SOCIETY
Today one in every five women is suffering from PCOS. Society has a very narrow idea of what a women’s body should look like and how it should behave. PCOS doesn’t fit neatly into that picture. People expect clear skin, a certain weight, regular cycles and effortless energy-but living with PCOS often means the opposite. Acne, weight fluctuations, and hormonal changes are constant reminders that my body doesn’t conform.
I’ve personally had experiences where people even those close to me- took PCOS lightly. They’d say things like,‘what’s the big deal?’ It can feel frustrating, because it’s not about seeking sympathy. I’m not looking for pity-I just want people to understand that this is real, it affects my body and mind every day, and it’s not something I can simply switch off.
It’s not anger I feel, it’s invisibility.That’s when I realised this isn’t only a health issue; it’s a social one
It’s not just my story -it’s the story of millions of Indian women. What makes it harder is the silence: no structured awareness in schools, no workplace policies that recognise it, and hardly any public conversations. If we can talk about GDP and growth, why can’t we talk about women’s health as a growth issue?
MISMATCH BETWEEN PCOS AND MYTHS
On top of medical advice, there’s a flood of myths and quick fixes people suggest. From herbal remedies to chanting mantras of kamakhya devi(saw in one of the videos) or being told that certain foods or rituals will magically cure PCOS-some advices comes from care, some from misunderstanding. While I respect everyone’s intentions, the reality is that PCOS is a complex hormonal condition. There is no instant cure. The gap between what treatment’s promises, what people expect, and what actually works adds another layer to the mismatch.
FINDING BALANCE IN THE MISMATCH
Writing this blog was my first step in acknowledging the mismatch between PCOS and my life. But finding balance is an ongoing process. For me, it’s about consistency in self care, understanding my body, and giving myself patience. It’s about mental and emotional work as much as physical management. I focus on small habits, self love rather than chasing perfection.
PERFECT MATCH OF MY FIRST BLOG AND PCOS
I had many topics in mind for my first blog-social issues, current debates, everyday struggles. But I decided to start with something very personal because this is what I live with every single day. It’s not just a medical term for me, it is lens through which I experience my studies, my energy, my confidence, even my relationships. It is invisible, misunderstood and often dismissed by the very people closest to us. And that is exactly why this had to be my first blog, the invisibility I saw in people’s eyes is what triggered me. When I say ‘I have PCOS’ some people give a side smile as if it was a excuse.
I wanted to share my journey so that next time someone mentions PCOS, replace the side smile with a serious ear.
Tanvi Public Square 